Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing sheet metal components with substantially reduced springback.

Abstract: Thermal cameras, particularly less elaborate inexpensive designs, may deliver high temperature resolution at the expense of less clear displayed images. For many low visibility uses, such as firefighting, it may be advantageous to sacrifice some temperature detail for clarity and object recognition. Without sacrificing the actual detailed temperature information available in a captured scene, it may be beneficial to apply filters in series to raw image data that reduce visible noise and build back in feature contrast for the purposes of providing a user a displayed image that permits ease of object recognition, while still providing the raw data to a thermography module to maintain high resolution of temperature information if desired. In addition, more efficient and useful edge highlighting techniques are disclosed. For very low contrast scenes, such as smoky rooms and the like, other specific filters and equalization methods may be applied.

Abstract: Thermal cameras, particularly less elaborate inexpensive designs, may deliver high temperature resolution at the expense of less clear displayed images. For many low visibility uses, such as firefighting, it may be advantageous to sacrifice some temperature detail for clarity and object recognition. Without sacrificing the actual detailed temperature information available in a captured scene, it may be beneficial to apply filters in series to raw image data that reduce visible noise and build back in feature contrast for the purposes of providing a user a displayed image that permits ease of object recognition, while still providing the raw data to a thermography module to maintain high resolution of temperature information if desired. In addition, more efficient and useful edge highlighting techniques are disclosed. For very low contrast scenes, such as smoky rooms and the like, other specific filters and equalization methods may be applied.

Abstract: The current invention includes coating compositions having a lignin, methods for coating substrates using the coating compositions, and substrates coated with the coating compositions. In some embodiments of the invention, a coating composition having a mixture of a) a lignin, b) a solvent, and c) a crosslinker, wherein the lignin has a neutral or negative charge. The current invention also includes a coating composition having a mixture of a) a lignin, b) a polymeric epoxy crosslinker having glycidyl (meth)acrylate, and c) a solvent. Additionally, the current invention includes a coating composition having a mixture of a) a lignin, b) a solvent, and c) a phenolic crosslinker.

Abstract: Hybrid latex emulsions are disclosed which can be used in the formation of coating compositions having good blush resistance, abrasion resistance, blister resistance, hardness and scratch resistance. In some embodiments, the coating compositions are used to coat substrates such as cans and packaging materials for the storage of food and beverages. Hybrid latex emulsions of the invention may be prepared by mixing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component and a stabilizer in a carrier to form a monomer emulsion, and reacting the monomer emulsion with an initiator to form the hybrid latex emulsion. The ethylenically unsaturated monomer component may include an organosilane compound, which may include a reactive organic group and a hydrolysable inorganic alkoxysilane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an organic solvent-based dispersion comprising a melt-blended network of an epoxy-functional and/or amino-functional polymer having a polymer-O—Si—O-polymer linkage and a polyolefin (co)polymer having carboxylic acid and/or carboxylic acid anhydride groups, the process comprising the steps of a) forming the melt-blended network from a prepolymer, a silane-functional compound and the polyolefin (co)polymer in the absence of a solvent, b) mixing the melt-blended network with an organic solvent to make the organic solvent-based dispersion, and c) cooling the organic solvent-based dispersion. The invention further relates to a coating composition and to a coated metal substrate.

Abstract: The current invention includes coating compositions having a lignin, methods for coating substrates using the coating compositions, and substrates coated with the coating compositions. In some embodiments of the invention, a coating composition having a mixture of a) a lignin, b) a solvent, and c) a crosslinker, wherein the lignin has a neutral or negative charge. The current invention also includes a coating composition having a mixture of a) a lignin, b) a polymeric epoxy crosslinker having glycidyl (meth)acrylate, and c) a solvent. Additionally, the current invention includes a coating composition having a mixture of a) a lignin, b) a solvent, and c) a phenolic crosslinker.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making phenolic fatty acid compounds having a reduced phenolic ester content. The invention also relates to method for chemically bonding a phenolic resin with a non-phenolic polymer (e.g., a synthetic fabric). The method comprises contacting a phenolic fatty acid compound with a non-phenolic polymer to introduce a hydroxy phenyl functional group into the non-phenolic polymer; and reacting the hydroxy phenyl functional group contained in the non-phenolic polymer with a phenolic resin or a phenolic crosslinker composition capable of forming a phenolic resin, to chemically bond the phenolic resin with the non-phenolic polymer. The invention is particularly useful for making a synthetic fabric-reinforced article, such as synthetic fabric-reinforced rubber article, circuit board substrate, or fiberglass.

Abstract: A controlled release composition containing a water-active material in the form of granules having a protective barrier coating capable of releasing the water-active material under predetermined release conditions, wherein the protective barrier coating comprises a polymer blend of two latex polymers, a method of preparing such a composition, a sprayable solution useful in the preparation of the composition, and the use of the composition for breaking a fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an organic solvent-based dispersion comprising a melt-blended network of an epoxy-functional and/or amino-functional polymer having a polymer-O—Si—O-polymer linkage and a polyolefin (co)polymer having carboxylic acid and/or carboxylic acid anhydride groups, the process comprising the steps of a) forming the melt-blended network from a prepolymer, a silane-functional compound and the polyolefin (co)polymer in the absence of a solvent, b) mixing the melt-blended network with an organic solvent to make the organic solvent-based dispersion, and c) cooling the organic solvent-based dispersion. The invention further relates to a coating composition and to a coated metal substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making phenolic fatty acid compounds having a reduced phenolic ester content. The invention also relates to method for chemically bonding a phenolic resin with a non-phenolic polymer (e.g., a synthetic fabric). The method comprises contacting a phenolic fatty acid compound with a non-phenolic polymer to introduce a hydroxy phenyl functional group into the non-phenolic polymer; and reacting the hydroxy phenyl functional group contained in the non-phenolic polymer with a phenolic resin or a phenolic crosslinker composition capable of forming a phenolic resin, to chemically bond the phenolic resin with the non-phenolic polymer. The invention is particularly useful for making a synthetic fabric-reinforced article, such as synthetic fabric-reinforced rubber article, circuit board substrate, or fiberglass.

Abstract: A controlled release composition containing a water-active material in the form of granules having a protective barrier coating capable of releasing the water-active material under predetermined release conditions, wherein the protective barrier coating comprises a polymer blend of two latex polymers, a method of preparing such a composition, a sprayable solution useful in the preparation of the composition, and the use of the composition for breaking a fracturing fluid.

Abstract: Coating compositions can be prepared from an acrylic grafted polyether resin, wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the acrylic grafted polyether resin has a molecular weight greater than about 500, and wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the acrylic grafted polyether resin does not comprise two or more non-impaired hydroxyl groups attached to two or more different five-membered or six-membered carbon atom rings in a segment having a molecular weight less than about 500. The acrylic grafted polyether resin can be prepared by reacting a dihydroxyl compound and/or a diamine compound with a phenol stearic acid compound to produce a diphenol, reacting the diphenol with a diglycidyl ether compound to form a polyether resin, and mixing the polyether resin with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component in the presence of an initiator to form the acrylic grafted polyether resin.

Abstract: Coating compositions can be prepared from a polyether resin, wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the polyether resin has a molecular weight greater than about 500, and wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the polyether resin does not comprise two or more non-impaired hydroxyl groups attached to two or more different five-membered or six-membered carbon atom rings in a segment having a molecular weight less than about 500. The polyether resin can be prepared by reacting a dihydroxyl compound and/or a diamine compound with a phenol stearic acid compound to produce a diphenol, and reacting the diphenol with a diglycidyl ether compound to form the polyether resin.

Abstract: Coating compositions are disclosed. In some embodiments, the coating compositions are used to coat substrates such as packaging materials and the like for the storage of food and beverages. The coating compositions can be prepared by reacting an epoxidized vegetable oil and a hydroxyl functional material in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a hydroxyl functional oil polyol, mixing the hydroxyl functional oil polyol (with or without epoxidized polybutadiene) with a functional polyolefin copolymer to form a mixture, reacting the mixture with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component in the presence of an initiator to form a graft copolymer, and crosslinking the graft copolymer with a crosslinker to form the coating composition.

Abstract: Coating compositions are disclosed. In some embodiments, the coating compositions are used to coat substrates such as packaging materials and the like for the storage of food and beverages. The coating compositions can be prepared by reacting an epoxidized vegetable oil and a hydroxyl functional material in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a hydroxyl functional oil polyol, mixing the hydroxyl functional oil polyol (with or without epoxidized polybutadiene) and a functional polyolefin copolymer to form a mixture, reacting the mixture with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component in the presence of an initiator to form a graft copolymer, and crosslinking the graft copolymer with a crosslinker to form the coating composition, wherein the graft copolymer or the crosslinked graft copolymer is inverted into water.

Abstract: Coating compositions can be prepared from an acrylic grafted polyether resin, wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the acrylic grafted polyether resin has a molecular weight greater than about 500, and wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the acrylic grafted polyether resin does not comprise two or more non-impaired hydroxyl groups attached to two or more different five-membered or six-membered carbon atom rings in a segment having a molecular weight less than about 500. The acrylic grafted polyether resin can be prepared by reacting a dihydroxyl compound and/or a diamine compound with a phenol stearic acid compound to produce a diphenol, reacting the diphenol with a diglycidyl ether compound to form a polyether resin, and mixing the polyether resin with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component in the presence of an initiator to form the acrylic grafted polyether resin.

Abstract: Coating compositions can be prepared from a polyether resin, wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the polyether resin has a molecular weight greater than about 500, and wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the polyether resin does not comprise two or more non-impaired hydroxyl groups attached to two or more different five-membered or six-membered carbon atom rings in a segment having a molecular weight less than about 500. The polyether resin can be prepared by reacting a dihydroxyl compound and/or a diamine compound with a phenol stearic acid compound to produce a diphenol, and reacting the diphenol with a diglycidyl ether compound to form the polyether resin.

Abstract: Coating compositions are disclosed. In some embodiments, the coating compositions are used to coat substrates such as packaging materials and the like for the storage of food and beverages. The coating compositions can be prepared from a hydroxyl phenyl functional polymer, a phenolic crosslinker, and a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the hydroxyl phenyl functional polymer is prepared using a phenol stearic acid compound, and wherein the acid number of the hydroxyl phenyl functional polymer is less than about 30 mg KOH/resin.

Abstract: Hybrid latex emulsions are disclosed which can be used in the formation of coating compositions having good blush resistance, abrasion resistance, blister resistance, hardness and scratch resistance. In some embodiments, the coating compositions are used to coat substrates such as cans and packaging materials for the storage of food and beverages. Hybrid latex emulsions of the invention may be prepared by mixing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component and a stabilizer in a carrier to form a monomer emulsion, and reacting the monomer emulsion with an initiator to form the hybrid latex emulsion. The ethylenically unsaturated monomer component may include an organosilane compound, which may include a reactive organic group and a hydrolysable inorganic alkoxysilane.